Pakistan will begin importing anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs from India from July to treat HIV/AIDS patients.

"Orders have been placed with an Indian firm and the drugs would be made available in selected health facilities (across the country)," Dawn Monday quoted officials as saying.

About 12 health professionals, including doctors and nurses, had been sent to India for an eight-week training course, the officials said, adding that the treatment of the HIV/AIDS patients would get underway on their return.

"Pakistan has at present about 2,500 patients, but only 600 to 700 patients would be treated free," they said.

A strict surveillance system would be put in place to ensure that the drugs are not diverted to the market because their over-the-counter sale would create problems.

"It is not a cure for the patients living with HIV/AIDS, because it only retards the development of (the disease) and prolongs their lives for a few months," the officials argued.

"The main problem is the fast development of resistance against the drugs. Therefore, strict measures will be taken to restrict its use only under the qualified health professionals at the ARV centres," they added.